Army buzzing about hosting Yankees

Saturday

Mar 30, 2013 at 2:00 AM

WEST POINT — Army shortstop Alex Jensen took advantage of special military tickets four times last fall to check out the Yankees in the Bronx. Jensen's bleacher seats were probably the closest he would get to the game's stars, he thought.

Sal Interdonato

WEST POINT — Army shortstop Alex Jensen took advantage of special military tickets four times last fall to check out the Yankees in the Bronx. Jensen's bleacher seats were probably the closest he would get to the game's stars, he thought.

The sophomore couldn't have imagined what will take place Saturday afternoon. The Bronx Bombers' final preparations for their season opener Monday will come at Doubleday Field at West Point.

Jensen and the Black Knights will host Robinson Cano, Ichiro Suzuki and the Yankees in an exhibition game. First pitch is 2:26 p.m.

"All of the students and teachers have been talking about it," Jensen said. "It's going to be a surreal day. It's something that we are all looking forward to, and we are ready to get after it."

Jensen and his teammates got a preview of their opponents during a surprise visit to the Yankees' spring-training camp in Tampa during their Florida trip earlier this month.

"Just watching his angles to the ball and his reads off the bat and how he gets around to throwing a baseball was impressive," Crucitti said. "You understand why those guys get paid to play the games."

Army will play the Yankees for the 22nd time at West Point. Yankees greats Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played in the first game in 1927. The teams haven't played at the Academy since 1976.

"It's two first-class organizations, who are the tops in their own rights and professions, on the same field," Army coach Joe Sottolano said. "The respect that each side has for each other is tremendous. Not only our respect for them as professional athletes and an organization, but I truly believe their respect for West Point and our baseball players, and what those men represent.

Temporary stands were installed down the right-field line and behind the right-field fence for the game. Attendance is expected to be 5,500. Johnson Stadium normally seats 880.

"The Yankees are playing at one higher education institution," Army athletic director Boo Corrigan said. "One! Are any other major-league teams playing on campus? That's kind of cool. That's the power of West Point."

Saturday's matinee might not be the Yankees' last trip to West Point. When asked if the exhibition game could happen on a regular basis, Corrigan said, "I think it could. But, we are excited about Saturday. That's the biggest thing."

The Yankees game may not be Army's biggest of the weekend. The Black Knights open Patriot League play with doubleheaders against Navy on Sunday and Monday at West Point.

Sottolano was undecided on a starter against the Yankees because Army needs its top pitchers for Navy.

"We don't have a lot of options," Sottolano said. "We'll throw a lot of young guys who haven't pitched much."